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PRINCETON,     N.    J. 

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3 

SERMON, 


OCCASIONED 


BY  THE  DEATH 


mi^  mttlltnt^  Mtmti  ©Itntow, 

LATE  GOVERNOR  OP  THE  STATE  OP  NEW-YORK. 
PREACHED  IN 

ST.  GEORGE'S  CHURCH,  JV.  Y. 

ON  SUNDAY,  FEBRUARY  24,  182S. 


BY  THE  REV.   JAXCBS  IfflliNOR,    D.D. 

RECTOR    OF    SAID    CHURCH. 


■    QQ&-- 
PUBLISHEB  AT  THE  BEQUEST  OF  THE  VESTRT  OF  ST.  GEOROE's    CIICRCH. 

NEW-YORK: 

PRINTED  BY  GRAY  AND  BUNCE,  224  CHERRX-STBEET.  j^ 

1828. 


Monday  Mohning,  Feb.  25,  16i:3. 
Ket.  and  dear  Sir, 

The  undersigned,  having  heard  with  the  highest  gratification  and 
pleasure,  the  Sermon  deliveved  by  you  yesterday  morning,  feel  it  a  duty  t« 
acknowledge  their  sense  of  the  judicious  and  happy  manner  in  which  yoa 
treated  so  delicate  a  subject. 

Desirous  of  extending  the  benefit  of  this  valuable  production  to  those  who 
had  not  the  privilege  of  being  present  at  its  delivery,  and  convinced  that  it 
would  be  to  them  a  most  acceptable  favour,  we  are  induced,  as  members  of 
Vestry,  to  request  a  copy  of  the  same  for  publication, 
We  are,  dear  Sir, 

Your  very  sincere  friends, 

JAMES  D.  L.  WALTON, 
EUM.  MOREWOOD, 
R.  WARDELL, 
HUBERT  VAN  WAGENEN, 
THOMAS  BLOODGOOD. 
JOHN  STEARNS, 
THOMAS  S.  TOWNSEND. 
WM.  SHATZELL, 
JAMES  A.  BURTUS, 
JOHN  H.  HILL. 
Ret.  Dr.  James  Milnor. 


Gentlemen, 

The  promptitude  and  unanimity  with  which  you  have  requested  a  copy 
of  the  Sermon  preached  by  mc  yesterday  in  St.  George's  Church  are  grateful 
to  my  feelings,  as  an  expression  of  your  approbation  of  a  well  intended,  but 
feeble,  tribute  to  the  memory  of  our  late  excellent  Governor. 

Although  very  sensible  how  far  below  the  merits  of  its  subject,  this  hasty 
attempt  has  fallen,  I  cannot  refuse  the  call  of  the  official  representatives  of 
my  beloved  people,  for  its  publication,  and  therefore  commit  it  to  your  dis- 
posal. 

I  am,  Gentlemen,  your  obedient  servant, 
and  affectionate  pastor, 

JAMES  MILNOR. 
Messrs.  James  D.  L.  Walton,  &c. 

Churchwardens  and  Vetlrymen  of  St,  GeorgeU  Church. 

Febrvart,  35,  1823. 


SERMON. 


Romans,  xiii.  part  of  7th  verse. 

'*    RENDER,    THEKEFORK,    TO    ALL    THEIR    DUES — HONOUR    TO 
WHOM    HONOUR." 

The  kingdom  of  Christ  is  not  of  this  world. 
It  is  spiritual ;  and  the  place  of  its  erection  is  in 
the  hearts  of  men.  It  outlives  the  limited  term  of 
human  existence  on  earth,  and  its  objects  transcend 
in  dignity,  as  in  duration,  all  the  inferior,  transitory, 
concerns  of  the  present  scene. 

Yet  the  subjects  of  Christ's  government,  while 
they  owe  a  paramount  allegiance  to  Him,  and  are 
principally  concerned  in  rendering  obedience  to 
his  laws,  in  extending  his  hallowed  empire  in  the 
world,  and  in  preparing  to  exult  with  all  his  faith- 
ful people  in  the  final  triumph  of  their  heavenly 
king,  are  also  the  subjects  or  citizens  of  various 
civil  governments,  and  amenable  to  human  laws. 
And,  therefore,  in  that  complete  directory  of  reli- 
gious, moral,  and  social  duty,  presented  in  the  sa- 
cred Scriptures,  the  relative  obligations  of  those 
invested  with  the  office  of  rulers,  and  of  those  who 
are  subject  to  their  sway,  are  delineated  and  urged 
with  a  clearness  and  force,  alike  calculated,  on  tjie 


one  hand,  to  maintain  the  claims  of  just  authority, 
and  on  the  other  to  promote  the  safety  and  happi- 
ness of  the  people. 

Do  we  desire  to  know  what  should  be  the  cha- 
racter of  men  elevated  to  official  stations  in  the 
civil  community?  We  are  told,  they  should  be 
"  able  men  ;  such  as  fear  God  ;  men  of  truth,  hat- 
ing covetousness."  Do  we  desire  to  know  in  what 
manner  they  should  discharge  their  official  functions- 
We  are  told,  they  are  "  not  to  wrest  judgment ;" 
that  their  conduct  is  to  be  marked  by  the  strictest 
rectitude  and  impartiality,  not  regarding  the  persons 
of  men,  having  no  undue  respect  to  the  poor,  nor 
"  honouring,"  to  the  subversion  of  justice.  "  the 
persons  of  the  mighty."  They  are  cautioned  "  not 
to  take  a  gift,"  that  is,  to  avoid  that  bribery  and 
corruption  which  so  effectually,  "  blind  the  eyes  of 
the  wise,  and  pervert  the  words  of  the  righteous," 
and  to  fulfil  all  their  duties  "  in  the  fear  of  the 
Lord,  faithfully,  and  with  a  perfect  heart." 

Nor  are  the  obligations  of  the  governed  less  lu- 
minously detailed  and  enforced.  Legitimate  govern- 
ment is  to  have  their  firm,  united,  and  cordial  sup- 
port. "  Every  soul  is  to  be  subject  unto  the  higher 
powers,"  and  *'  he  who  resists  them"  is  declared  to 
"  resist  the  ordinance  of  God."  Being  "  sent  of 
Him  for  the  punishment  of  evil  doers,  and  for  the 
praise  of  them  that  do  well,"  those  under  their  rule 
are  required  to  be  "  subject,  not  only  for  wrath, 
but  for  conscience  sake."     <'  To  Caesar,"  our  Lord 


himself  requires  to  be  "  rendered  the  things  that 
are  Caesar's."  St.  Paul  rebukes,  with  severity,  in  the 
verses  preceding~the  text,  a  rebellious  spirit;  and, 
in  the  peaceable  temper  of  the  Gospel,  in  the  pas- 
sage immediately  before  us,  he  calls  on  his  fellow 
Christians,  even  under  the  arbitrary  government  of 
Nero,  to  "  render  unto  all  their  dues,  tribute  to 
whom  tribute  is  due,  custom  to  whom  custom,  fear 
to  whom  fear,  honour  to  whom  honour." 

These  counsels,  rightly  understood,  are  entitled 
to  our  unfeigned  respect,  our  unreluctant  conformi- 
ty; and  there  can  be  no  impropriety,  on  suitable 
occasions,  in  a  proper  spirit,  and  with  a  worthy  end, 
to  our  making  such  injunctions  as  the  foregoing  the 
themes  of  public  observation  and  enforcement. 
They  may  have  been  sometimes  prostituted  to  pur- 
poses alien  from  their  original  design;  but  it  is  a 
circumstance  honourable  to  our  holy  religion,  that, 
while  it  is  mainly  concerned  about  the  interests  of 
the  soul,  and  of  eternity,  it  is  not  unmindful  of  those 
connected  with  the  present  life,  and  provides  ample 
and  intelligent  directions,  primarily  in  regard  to  our 
duties  to  God,  but  subordinately  in  regard  to  every 
social  human  relation,  both  public  and  private. 

Occupied,  therefore,  as  it  undoubtedly  becomes 
the  ministers  of  Christ  to  be,  in  preaching  the  truths 
of  his  everlasting  Gospel ;  and  rarely  as  it  may  be 
expedient  for  them  to  bring  subjects  of  a  secular  as- 
pect before  the  people  of  their  charge;  yet  there  are 
occasions  when  topics  of  this  kind  may  be  suitably 


6 

noticed.  God  forbid,  that  the  pulpit  should  ever 
be  the  vehicle  of  party  feelings,  or  the  sacred  func- 
tions of  the  ministry  be  prostituted  to  an  engage- 
ment in  the  fluctuating  politics  of  the  day.  It  is 
hoped  a  sense  of  the  dignity  of  their  office,  and  the 
responsibilities  to  which  they  stand  pledged,  will 
preserve  the  ambassadors  of  Christ  from  thus  de- 
basing their  commission.  If  there  should  be  any 
found  willing  so  to  dishonour  their  high  and  holy 
calling,  I  am  persuaded,  they  would  soon  reap  their 
merited  reward  in  the  unqualified  condemnation  of 
all  the  considerate  and  good.  Still,  however,  every 
divine  precept,  whether  it  regard  the  destinies  of 
eternity,  or  the  inferior  interests  of  time ;  whether 
it  involve  the  homage  due  to  the  Almighty  Ruler  of 
all,  or  the  obedience  and  respect  due  to  those  who 
are  called  in  his  Providence  to  preside  over  the  af- 
fairs of  men,  may,  in  its  turn,  be  used  for  public 
edification,  and  applied  to  profitable  use. 

There  have  been  times  when  that  injunction  of 
Paul  to  Titus  has  been  seasonably  urged  in  the 
sacred  desk; — "  Put  them  in  mind  to  be  subject  to 
principalities  and  powers,  and  to  obey  Magistrates ;" 
and  there  have  been  times,  when  unrighteous  and 
oppressive  rulers  have  been  addressed  on  the  wicked- 
ness of  their  conduct,  with  a  holy  boldness,  such  as 
Paul  himself  exhibited  before  the  tribunals  of  Felix, 
Festus,  and  Agrippa ;  or  as  Peter,  and  the  other 
Apostles  evinced,  when  the  hand  of  tyranny  would 
have  stopped  them  in  their  course  of  duty;  but  they 


firmly  declared,  "  we  ought  to  obey  God  rather  than 
men." 

In  our  free  and  happy  country  there  is  indeed, 
in  general,  very  infrequent  occasions  for  the  interfer- 
ence of  the  Ministers  of  Christ  in  any  matters  that 
the  most  scrupulous  conscience  or  the  most  fastidi- 
ous taste  would  deem  an  infringement  on  their  pe- 
culiar functions.  The  people  of  our  land  are  virtu- 
ally their  own  rulers.  No  hereditary  claims  to 
official  dignity,  or  political  authority,  here  exist. 
These  are  recognized  only  in  the  persons  of  those 
on  whom  the  people  have  bestowed  them.  Our  legis- 
latures are  controlled  in  the  enactment  of  laws  by 
limits  prescribed  in  written  constitutions.  At  short 
stated  periods  they  surrender  their  powers  back  into 
the  hands  of  those  from  whom  they  were  received, 
to  be  rewarded,  if  faithful,  by  their  renewal ;  to 
sink  into  the  rank  of  private  citizens,  if  a  discerning 
public  disapprove  their  measures.  The  highest 
executive  officer  holds  his  station  by  no  more  per- 
manent a  tenure.  He  is  alike  amenable  to  the 
people,  and  liable  to  be  called  to  a  relinquishment  of 
his  honours  on  the  constitutional  expression  of  the 
public  will.  That  caprice,  rather  than  exact  wis- 
dom, should  sometimes  influence  the  judgment  of 
a  tribunal  so  variously  constituted,  is  to  be  expected 
from  the  weakness  and  fallibility  of  man:  But, 
with  all  its  unavoidable  defects,  never  was  there  a 
plan  promising  a  greater  measure  of  the  blessings 
of  a  good  government,  than  that  under  which  a  gra- 


8 

cious  Providence  has  cast  our  lot.  Never  was  there 
a  more  efficient  restraint  on  an  inordinate  spirit 
of  ambition,  or  a  desire  of  arbitrary  power,  than 
this  resistless  accountability  of  our  public  officers  ; 
nor  a  more  powerful  security  for  the  preservation  of 
our  liberties,  civil  and  religious,  than  the  ever  re- 
curring exercise  of  the  right  of  unbiassed  suffirage 
on  the  part  of  the  people. 

Brethren,  I  pray  you  to  excuse  allusions,  which, 
I  confess,  would  in  general  be  more  proper  at  other 
seasons,  and  in  other  places,  than  the  present.  But, 
when  contemplating  the  distressing  public  bereave- 
ment just  sustained,  in  the  sudden  removal  of  our 
late  illustrious  Chief  Magistrate,  it  seemed  impossi- 
ble not  to  think  and  to  speak  of  institutions  with 
which  he  was  so  long  connected,  which  he  loved  so 
dearly,  and  in  the  conduct  of  which  he  was  so  dis- 
tinguished and  patriotic  an  agent.  When  mourn- 
ing over  such  a  loss,  we  may  derive  an  admissable 
solace  of  our  grief,  and  a  motive  for  unmurmuring 
submission  to  the  will  of  God,  in  our  remaining 
blessings.  Yes,  brethren,  in  the  midst  of  our  regrets, 
we  will  forbear  to  render  that  honour  which  is  most 
justly  due  to  the  memory  of  our  departed  ruler, 
until  we  have  poured  forth  to  Him  who  "  divides 
to  the  nations  their  inheritance,  and  sets  the  bounds 
of  the  people,"  the  overflowings  of  our  gratitude, 
for  his  unnumbered  benefactions. 

In  the  apprehension  of  all  who  believe,  as  does 
your  preacher,  in  a  special  Providence,  ever  actively 


employed  in  the  affairs   of  men,  this   is  the  true 
method  of  fulfilling  the  precept  in  the  text. 

The  first  tribute  of  Honour  is  due  to  God  for 
our  temporal,  no  less  than  our  spiritual,  mercies. 
To  wisdom  imparted  from  above  we  owe  our  ad- 
mirable frame  of  civil  government,  and  the  equal 
laws  which  have  emanated  from  the  exercise  of  its 
legislative  powers.  To  the  protecting  care  of  our 
watchful  and  Almighty  Guardian  we  stand  indebted, 
that  the  adversary  of  our  race  has  not  been  per- 
mitted to  incite  in  the  minds  of  public  functionaries, 
of  any  political  designation,  a  disposition  to  invade 
the  rights  of  the  people  on  the  one  hand,  or  to  with- 
hold, on  the  other,  a  fearless  exercise  of  the  powers 
intrusted  to  their  charge  ;  that  our  various  tribunals 
are  seen  administering  Justice  withiaudable  wisdom, 
purity  and  mildness;  that  we  have  known  so  little 
of  the  tumult,  and  so  few  of  the  other  evils,  sometimes 
attendant  upon  popular  elections;  that  the  supports 
of  our  civil  and  religious  privileges  continue  solid  and 
immoveable;  that  our  community  is  favoured  with 
a  most  extraordinary  exemption  from  oppressive 
pecuniary  burthens;  and  that  such  an  immense 
amount  of  intellect  and  exertion  are,  from  year  to 
year,  employed  in  countless  measures  of  internal  im- 
provement ;  while  abroad  our  country  and  its  insti- 
tutions are  every  where  advancing  in  the  estimation 
of  the  wise  and  good,  and  the  American  name  be- 
coming a  praise  among  the  nations  of  the  earth. 

B 


10 

Nor  dare  we  overlook,  nay  we  will  record  with 
livelier  feelings  of  devout  gratitude  and  praise,  that 
grand  moral  machinery  which  the  Spirit  of  Jehovah 
has  put  in  operation,  and  his  Providence  is  carrying 
on  throughout  our  hind,  for  the  alleviation  of  hu- 
man misery ;  for  the  education  of  the  poorer  classes  ; 
for  advancing  the  interests  of  science  and  litera- 
ture ;  for  spreading  abroad  the  hallowed  influence 
of  revealed  truth,  by  means  of  Missionaries,  Bibles, 
Tracts,  and  Sabbath  School  instruction ;  and  for 
sending  forth  to  the  most  distant  nations  of  the 
earth,  the  light  of  that  blessed  faith,  on  which  are 
staked  all  the  immortal  interests  of  man. 

Does  it  not  become  the  beneficiaries  of  blessings 
such  as  these  to  render  the  honour  that  is  due  to 
their  great  BestoWer  ?  "  Truly  he  hath  not  dealt  so 
with  any  nation."  "  O  that  men  would  praise  the 
Lord  for  his  goodness,  and  for  his  wonderful  works 
to  us  children  of  men."  "  Bless  the  Lord,  O  our 
souls,  and  forget  not  all  his  benefits." 

Nor  let  our  praise  expend  itself  in  empty  words. 
While  with  our  mouths  we  confess  the  God,  who 
'*  rules  in  the  army  of  Heaven,  and  among  the  in- 
habitants of  the  earth,"  as  the  author  and  giver  of 
all  our  good  things,  let  us  manifest  the  sincerity  of 
our  offerings  of  praise,  for  sincerity  alone  can  give 
them  value,  by  consecrating  our  hearts  to  his  ser- 
vice, by  cherishing  a  true  faith  in  the  rich  mercies 
of  redemption  through  his  crucified  Son,  and  by 


11 

living  habitually  under  the  influence  of  that  holy 
religion,  from  which  all  our  other  blessings  derive 
their  hope  of  perpetuity,  without  which  they  would 
soon  be  transformed  into  a  curse.  "  Let  us,"  I 
repeat,  in  the  language  of  our  Apostle,  '*  render 
unto  all  their  dues  :"  and  in  doing  so,  never  forget 
that  our  first,  and  greatest,  and  most  enduring  tri- 
bute belongs  to  God. 

But  the  plans  of  Omnipotence  are  achieved  by 
human  instruments;  and  it  is  not  inconsistent  with 
the  paramount  claims  of  God  to  honour  those  whom 
He  so  highly  honours,  as  to  constitute  them  the 
agents  of  his  benefactions  to  mankind.  To  those 
whom  He  employs  to  accomplish  his  designs  of 
goodness,  if  faithful  in  the  discharge  of  the  func- 
tions committed  to  their  trust,  a  subordinate  mea- 
sure of  gratitude  and  respect  is  justly  due.  They 
deserve  to  be  honoured  while  they  live ;  and  when 
they  die,  a  nation's  tears  may  well  bedew  their 
graves,  and  grateful  memory  delight  to  perpetuate 
their  fame. 

The  remark  is  true  in  the  most  general  sense. 
The  occasion  calls  for  its  special  application  to  such 
as  have  occupied  distinguished  public  stations.  And 
we  do  not  hesitate  to  say,  that  to  such  a  tribute  of 
respect  is  due  ;  that  to  render  it  is  consonant  with 
the  apostolic  precept  in  our  text ;  and,  so  long  as  it 
exceeds  not  the  merits  of  its  subject,  and  derogates  not 
from  the  superior  reverence  we  owe  to  God,  it  con- 
travenes no  principle  of  our  holy  faith.     It  is  but 


12 

the  payment  of  a  well-earned  debt,  to  praise  the 
man  whose  ambition  has  employed  itself  in  great, 
and  excellent,  and  useful  objects.  It  is  not  to  the 
idle  incumbent  of  hereditary  honours;  it  is  not  to 
the  man  raised  to  distinction  by  base  and  treacherous 
artifice,  or  lawless  force ;  it  is  not  to  one  mistakenly 
elevated  to  a  rank,  which  he  disgraces  by  arrogance 
and  pride,  we  are  called  lo  render  honour ;  but  to  the 
honest  statesman,  rising  into  public  favour  by  inhe- 
rent worth,  and  patriotic  effort,  and  constantly  era- 
ploying  his  distinguished  talents  to  the  public  good  ; 
and  to  the  memory  of  such  a  man  we  would  advo- 
cate, without  the  smallest  scruple,  a  munificent  re- 
turn of  public  gratitude  and  praise.  Flattery,  the 
character  of  our  holy  religion,  and  of  our  civil 
institutions  alike  forbid.  But  where  history  has 
already  recorded  evidences  of  personal  and  official 
worth  which  time  cannot  obliterate,  nor  ingratitude 
itself  deface,  there  can  be  no  offence  in  eulogy. 

Such  is  the  case  of  that  illustrious  man  whom  we 
have  seen,  with  awful  suddenness,  cut  down  in  the 
midst  of  his  days,  and  of  a  career  of  public  useful- 
ness in  which  few  would  venture  to  present  them- 
selves as  his  competitors.  We  can  say  of  Dewitt 
Clinton,  not  in  the  sycophantic  spirit  of  Tertullus  to 
Felix,  but  in  the  chastened  soberness  of  truth,  that 
*'  by  him  we  have  enjoyed  great  quietness,  and  by 
his  providence  very  worthy  deeds  have  been  done  to 
our  whole  nation."  Then  let  us  give  his  memory 
its  due.     Let  us  render  honour  to  whom  honour 


\3 

justly  appertains.  It  is  doing  homage  to  virtue  it- 
self to  honour  its  possessor,  and  well  deserved  com- 
mendation of  the  dead  may  assist  to  excite  the  living 
to  a  noble  emulation  of  his  bright  example. 

It  is  in  this  view,  and  under  such  impressions,  that 
I  feel  a  glow  of  grateful  satisfaction,  mingled  with 
no  ordinary  sensibility,  in  according  my  feeble  tribute 
of  respect  to  the  memory  of  the  distinguished  Chief 
Magistrate  of  whom  our  State  has  been  bereaved. 
The  events  in  which  he  bore  a  conspicuous  part  will 
fill  a  large  place  in  the  history  of  our  Country ;  and 
some  faithful  biographer,  of  talents  commensurate 
to  his  noble  subject,  will  hand  down  the  name  of 
Clinton  to  the  admiration  of  a  late  posterity. 

In  this  place  little  more  can  be  done  than  just  to 
glance  at  a  few  of  those  prominent  features  of  his 
character  and  life,  to  which  more  competent  hands 
will  hereafter  give  the  illustration  and  expansion  they 
deserve. 

Our  late  Chief  Magistrate  occupied  in  the  literary 
world  the  acknowledged  reputation  of  a  fine 
Scholar.  On  the  foundation  laid  in  his  Collegiate 
course,  his  excellent  natural  abilities,  and  regular 
habits  of  study,  enabled  him  to  rear  a  superstruc- 
ture of  a  brilliant  order.  Of  the  variety  and  extent 
of  his  knowledge,  the  various  topics,  which,  in  suc- 
cession, occupied  his  pen,  and  the  rich  current  of 
his  daily  conversation,  furnished  decisive  proofs. 
The  many  excellent  institutions  of  our  City  and 
State,  which  he  fostered  with  his  patronage,  and  de- 


14 

lighted  with  his  communications,  evince  his  love  for 
literature,  science,  and  the  arts  ;  and  his  interesting 
messages  at  the  annual  Sessions  of  the  Legislature, 
since  he  has  filled  the  Governmental  Chair,  besides 
the  exhibition  of  great  acquaintance  with  the  sub- 
jects they  embraced,  exhibit  models  of  pure  and 
classic  composition. 

He  was  a  distinguished  Civilian  and  Statesman. 
Fully  versed  in  the  principles  of  political  economy, 
and  public  law,  to  the  republican  Constitutions  of 
our  Country  his  native  love  of  liberty  gave  the  best 
affections  of  his  heart,  as  the  most  powerful  bul- 
works  against  its  invasion.  His  intimate  know- 
ledge of  the  resources  of  the  nation,  and  of  this 
member  of  it  in  particular,  his  almost  intuitive  per- 
ception of  the  most  eligible  plans  for  drawing  them 
forth,  at  the  cheapest  rates,  into  the  most  efficient 
practical  use,  his  minute  and  experimental  informa- 
tion, especially  as  to  the  best  means  of  enriching  the 
community  by  the  facilities  of  inland  water  com- 
munication, are  subjects  of  commendation  acknow- 
ledged by  all.  His  accurate  foresight  of  the  happy 
result,  which,  thank  God,  he  lived  long  enough  to 
witness,  gave  a  spring  to  the  employment  of  his 
strong  intellect  on  this  novel  subject,  and  imparted 
vigour  and  perseverance  in  the  prosecution  of  his 
views.  The  great  works,  in  the  planning  and  execu- 
tion of  which  he  bore  so  pre-eminent  a  part,  will  be 
an  enduring  monument  to  his  praise,  and  a  grateful 
posterity  will  concede  to  his  memory  that  of  many 


15 

other  undertakings  of  a  similar  character,  which  the 
present  generation,  or  the  next,  under  the  smiles  of  a 
favouring  Providence,  will  not  fail  to  see  accom- 
plished. This  is  not  the  place  for  enlarging  on  that 
great  variety  of  evidence  which  the  public  life  of 
Mr.  Clinton  afforded,  of  his  talents  as  a  statesman ; 
but  it  would  be  unjust  not  to  add,  that  he  was  a 
patriotic  statesman.  Public  utility  and  the  people's 
happiness  were  the  unremitting  and  disinterested 
aim  of  all  his  studies  and  exertions.  He  leaves  no 
inheritance  to  his  mourning  family,  but  his  virtues 
and  his  fame. 

He  was  too,  in  the  best  sense,  a  Philanthropist. 
His  bosom  expanded  to  the  generous  character  of 
the  age.  His  range  of  mind,  his  moral  sense,  his 
warmth  of  feeling,  carried  him  beyond  a  contem- 
plation of  the  mere  physical  wealth  and  prosperity 
of  the  community  in  which  he  lived.  He  looked 
with  intense  anxiety  to  its  growth  in  intellectual 
and  moral  grandeur.  The  more  elevated  seats  of 
learning  had  his  unqualified  approval  and  support : 
But  he  considered  our  Common  Schools  as  the  great 
engines  of  popular  improvement.  In  them  a  large 
proportion  of  the  young  and  rising  generation  of  the 
commonwealth  were  to  receive  their  preparation  for 
future  usefulness.  The  competent  maintenance,  and 
multiplication  and  good  conduct  of  these  schools 
were  therefore  to  him  delightful  objects  of  official 
and  personal  regard.  His  incessant  exertions  in 
their  promotion  will  never  be  forgotten,  so  long  as 


16 

knowledge  and  virtue  continue  to  be  thought  the 
best  safeguards  of  liberty,  and  its  attendant  bles- 
sings. 

The  melioration  of  our  penal  code,  and  the  disci- 
pline of  our  prisons  owe  much  of  tlieir  present  ex- 
cellence to  his  indefatigable  efforts.  But  he  viewed 
the  prevention  of  crime  as  more  desirable  than  its 
punishment,  and  the  reformation  of  the  offender 
as  more  humane  and  profitable  than  his  excision. 
He  saw  especially  in  the  universal  diffusion  of  the 
lights  of  learning  and  religion,  for  he  desired  to  see 
them  indissolubly  united,  the  best  means  of  accom- 
plishing the  first  of  these  objects.  He  was  no  vi- 
sionary Philosopher.  He  amused  himself  with  no 
dreams  of  social,  or  individual,  perfectability.  He 
beheld  man  as  a  fallen,  helpless,  beine^,  and  with  no 
more  than  a  suitable  regard  to  human  agency  in  the 
developement  and  application  of  those  collateral  in- 
strumentalities for  his  improvement,  which  the 
goodness  of  God  had  placed  within  his  reach,  it  was 
in  the  religion  of  Jesus  Christ  that  he  believed  were 
centered  the  only  adequate  securities  for  the  happi- 
ness, and  best  interests  of  man  in  his  present,  or  fu- 
ture state  of  being. 

In  this  divine  system  he  avowed  both  publicly 
and  privately  his  firm  belief:  And,  hence,  he  was 
ever  ready  to  give  the  weight  of  his  personal,  and 
where  it  was  proper  his  official  sanction,  to  its  in- 
stitutions. Yes  ;  amidst  the  clamours  of  infidelity 
Clinton  shrunk  not  from  the  avowal  of  his  attach- 


17 

ment  to  Christianity  ;  and  though  immersed  in  the 
varied  cares  of  public  life,  he  found  a  pleasure  in 
affording  his  countenance  and  aid  to  the  diffusion  of 
its  influence. 

Of  that  noble  institution,  the  American  Bible 
Society,  he  was  long  an  honoured  Vice-President ; 
and  on  more  than  one  occasion  greatly  added  to  the 
interest  of  its  anniversaries  by  occupying  the  place 
of  its  venerable  President,  the  illustrious  Jay,  pre- 
vented by  the  infirmities  of  age  from  gratifying  the 
Society,  and  the  public  by  his  presence. 

At  its  very  last  annual  meeting,  in  an  address, 
vt^hich  the  Society  will  delight  to  preserve  on  their 
records,  as  a  memorial  of  their  lamented  patron,  he 
pronounced  "  its  end"  to  be  "  celestial."  "  It  looks 
down,"  said  he,  "  on  man  for  his  good,  and  it  looks 
up  to  heaven  for  its  blessing.  It  reverses  the 
dreams  of  heathen  mythology,  and  extends  upwards 
the  everlasting  chain,  which  binds  together  the 
earth  and  the  heavens.  Like  a  shining  Pharos  on 
a  tempest-beaten  promontory,  it  sends  forth  a  saving 
light,  which  carries  us  securely  through  the  storms 
that  agitate  our  bark  on  the  ocean  of  time.  With 
such  high  destinies,  with  such  exalted  ends,  who 
would  not  afford,"  he  exclaimed,  "the  means  of  its 
preservation  and  perpetuation,  and  apply  to  its  con- 
cerns the  most  energetic  exertions  of  liberality  and 
wisdom.  There  is  nothing,  "he  added,"  in  the  ele- 
ments, in  the  composition,  or  in  the  administration 
of  the  Society,  which  ought  to  alarm  the  jealousy. 


18 

or  excite  the  suspicion  of  the  most  rigid  sectarian, 
in  religion,  or  politics.  It  was  founded,  and  has 
been  supported,  bj  men  of  all  creeds.  It  looks  with 
an  equal  eye  on  all  the  humble  followers  of  Christ; 
and  it  distributes,  with  an  equal  hand,  the  benefits 
which  spring  from  its  bosom.  It  acknowledges  no 
superiority,  but  the  superiority  of  piety  and  wis- 
dom, and  it  admits  of  no  distinctions,  but  those 
which  grow  out  of  the  improvement  of  human 
character.  If  its  pedestal  be  upon  earth,  its  apex 
reaches  the  heavens." 

In  the  same  address  he  took  an  inspiring  view  of 
the  events  of  the  present  day,  as  demonstrating,  with 
irresistible  force,  the  superintending  Providence  of 
God ;  of  their  effect  in  enabling  the  new  world  to  re- 
flect back  the  light  which  had  been  radiated  upon 
her  from  the  old ;  and  of  the  importance  of  giving 
a  right  direction  to  that  archimedian  lever,  the  press, 
by  "  infusing  the  principles  of  our  holy  religion  into 
the  movements  of  a  power  so  mighty  and  transcend- 
ant:"  declaring  with  solemnity,  his  persuasion,  that 
"  systems  of  general  education,  and  a  diffusive 
spread  of  Bible  Societies  were  necessary  for  the 
tranquillity,  good  order,  and  liberties  of  mankind." 

Instead  of  offering  an  apology  for  the  length 
of  these  quotations,  on  a  subject  of  such  deep  in- 
terest, I  will  honour  the  memory  of  our  deceased 
fellow  labourer  in  this  sacred  cause,  and  its  kindred 
objects,  and  encourage  the  hearts  of  its  numerous 
friends  now  before  me,  by  one  other  passage,  which , 


19 

I  pray  God,  may  prove  prophetic.  "  We  are,"  said 
he  *'  on  the  verge  of  events  greater  than  the  astonish- 
ing ones,  which  have  occurred  within  our  times  ; 
discoveries  vast  and  stupendous.  Institutions  deeply 
connected  with  human  melioration,  and  events  of 
unprecedented  character  may  be  expected.  The 
fountains  of  intellectual,  moral,  and  religious  light, 
which  are  now  concentrated  within  comparatively 
narrow  boundaries,  will  overflow  the  World  ;  and 
humanity,  throwing  off  its  fetters,  and  rising  above 
its  incumbrances,  will  be  ennobled,  as  well  as  disen- 
thralled." You  are  all  ready,  I  trust,  Christian 
Brethren,  to  respond  a  hearty  Amen  to  these  joyful 
and  scriptural  anticipations. 

Time  would  fail  to  enumerate  all  the  literary, 
religious,  and  benevolent  enterprises,  in  which  Mr. 
Clinton  was  associated. 

Of  Sunday  Schools  he  was  a  feeling  advocate. 
He  has  often,  and  earnestly,  recommended  them  to 
the  support  and  patronage  of  the  Christian  public, 
and  was  rejoiced  to  attend  their  anniversary  exhibi- 
tions. Speaking  of  that  of  the  last  year  in  this  city, 
he  said,  the  sight  of  the  procession  of  the  thousands 
of  children  of  which  it  was  composed,  the  pupils  of 
Sabbath  Schools,  was  "  irresistibly  calculated  to  ex- 
cite the  tenderest  sympathies  of  our  nature ;"  and 
expressed  his  wish,  that  past  success  might  teach 
their  supporters,  "  the  imperative  obligation  to  act 
well  their  parts,  and  anticipate  more  momentous 
results." 


20 

Missionary  and  Tract  Societies  had  also  his  de* 
t^ided  approbation,  and  efficient  countenance ;  and 
he  publicly  expressed  his  earnest  interest  in  the  in- 
stitutions of  the  respectable  denomination  to  which 
he  was  attached,  for  assisting  destitute  pious  young 
men  in  their  preparation  for  the  Ministry. 

You  perceive,  that  I  have  rather  sought  to  state 
facts  than  employ  myself  in  vague  eulogy  on  that 
part  of  Mr.  Clinton's  character,  which  gives  it  a 
peculiar  claim  to  notice  in  this  place  :  And  may  I 
not  call  on  those  who  have  enjoyed  personal  inter- 
course with  our  beloved  Chief  Magistrate,  or  have 
witnessed  his  public  communications,  to  testify,  how 
meekly  he  bore  his  well  earned  distinctions,  and 
what  unaffected  diffidence  marked  his  whole  de- 
meanour ;  so  that  while,  on  the  latter  occasions,  all 
regarded  him  as  first  among  the  throng,  he  seemed 
to  think  himself  the  least. 

In  his  private  relations  Mr.  Clinton's  character 
was  such,  as  to  make  his  loss  too  great  to  his  family, 
even  for  a  nation's  gratitude  to  supply.  May  the 
mourning  widow,  and  the  bereaved  children  look 
to  a  higher  source  for  the  consolation  which  they 
need.  May  they  find  it  in  the  bosom  of  that  be- 
nignant Being,  who  has  promised  to  be  a  father  to 
the  fatherless,  and  a  husband  to  the  widow,  and  in 
the  animating  hopes  of  that  blessed  Book,  which 
was  believed  in  and  loved  by  their  departed  pro- 
tector and  friend. 

In  closing  my  remarks  on  the  character  of  this 


21 

distinguished  man,  I  wish  it  not  to  be  inferred  that 
it  was  faultless.  Exemption  from  frailty,  and  in- 
firmity, nay  from  sin,  is  not  the  attribute  of  mortal 
man;  but  that,  in  public  and  private  life,  his  faults 
were  obscured  in  the  constellation  of  his  virtues, 
will  be  admitted  by  those  who  observed  him  most, 
and  knew  him  best.  Future  generations,  in  the 
review  of  his  well  told  life,  will  acknowledge,  that 
few  men  have  lived  so  free  from  merited  imputation, 
in  his  retired  or  official  course ;  few  were  ever 
followed  to  the  grave  with  such  universal,  undis- 
sembled,  poignant  grief. 

I  have  finished  my  intended  observations  on  the 
character  of  the  great  man  whose  death  has  inflicted 
so  signal  a  calamity  on  our  State  and  Country.  I 
would  not  have  so  occupied  your  time,  had  I  not  deem- 
ed all  that  I  have  said,  a  just,  though  very  feeble, 
tribute  to  departed  worth  ;  one  which  your  own  esti- 
mate of  its  subject  required  to  be  rendered ;  one 
which,  in  letter  and  spirit,  is  a  compliance  with  the 
apostolic  precept  in  the  text,  "  render  to  all  their 
dues — honour  to  whom  honour ;"  one  which  would 
involve  no  infringement  on  the  sanctity  of  this  day 
or  place,  or  the  excitement  of  a  single  feeling  con- 
nected with  public  controversies,  which,  as  they 
have  long  ceased  to  agitate  the  bosom  of  your 
preacher,  will  never  find  a  place  in  his  public  com- 
munications. 

I  am  free  to  confess  my  concurrence  generally  in 
the  objections  that  have  been  made  to  the  introduc- 


22 

lion  of  such  subjects  into  the  pulpit  unadvisedly  or 
lightly  ;  while  I  see  not  their  application  to  such  a 
case  as  that  which  has  now  employed  us.  I  de- 
precate the  alliance  of  Church  and  State,  of  which 
in  this  country  there  does  not  exist,  as  I  believe,  the 
remotest  danger.  I  would,  as  promptly  as  any  man, 
deny  the  obligation  of  obedience  to  the  mandates  of 
the  civil  authority,  in  regard  to  the  performance  of 
ministerial  duty  ;  and,  even  in  the  case  of  a  respect- 
ful request  such  as  that  made,  I  have  no  doubt  from 
the  purest  motives,  in  the  present  instance,  by  the 
constituted  authorities  of  the  City,  I  would  claim 
the  right  of  determining  for  myself  on  the  propriety 
and  expediency  of  a  compliance.  But  it  is  extremely 
difficult  for  me  to  see,  why  a  man's  having  occupied 
a  public  station  should  exclude  his  memory  from  a 
mark  of  respect,  which,  I  presume,  all  will  admit, 
may  sometimes  be  properly  and  profitably  rendered 
to  our  departed  friends.  Such  notices  of  men,  whose 
lives  have  been  distinguished  by  public  usefulness, 
are  not  novelties,  either  in  this  country  or  abroad. 
Our  libraries  are  full  of  memorials  of  this  kind  ; 
and  the  only  apology  I  can  make  for  the  present,  is 
a  repetition  of  my  solemn  conviction,  that,  if  it  were 
ever  proper,  it  is  so  in  regard  to  the  illustrious  in- 
dividual, taken  from  the  arms  of  his  country  by  so 
sudden  and  unlooked  for  a  dispensation  of  God's 
providence,  and  for  whom  a  whole  community  is 
this  day  clothed  in  the  habiliments  of  mourning. 


23 

A  few  words  of  improvement,  and  I  will  no 
longer  trespass  on  jour  patience. 

1'.  Let  those  who  are  called  to  fill  exalted  and  in- 
fluential places  in  society,  behold,  in  the  bright  ex- 
ample before  them,  the  compatibility  of  religion  and 
benevolence,  and  of  an  active  engagement  in  their 
promotion,  with  the  highest  eminence  of  station. 
Who  will  aver  that  the  public  honours  of  Mr.  Clin- 
ton were  in  the  slightest  degree  tarnished,  or  his 
influence  impaired,  or  his  happiness  abridged,  by 
the  employment  of  a  portion  of  his  time  and  talents 
in  the  promotion  of  moral  and  religious  education, 
in  the  circulation  of  the  inspired  Book  of  God,  in 
the  preparation  in  learning  of  young  men  destined  to 
become  the  public  Teachers  of  Christianity,  in  the 
diffusion^by  missions  and  tracts,  both  at  home  and 
abroad,  of  its  glorious  doctrines  and  inimitable  pre- 
cepts, and  even  in  that  last  charitable  object  of  his 
enlarged  mind,  so  humble  in  its  appearance,  but 
promising  to  be  so  blessed  in  its  results,  the  estab- 
lishment of  Infant  Schools.  God  grant,  that  in 
greater  numbers  than  at  present,  our  public  charac- 
ters, and  our  men  of  wealth  and  influence,  may  be 
found  imitating  his  honourable  example. 

2.  Let  us  learn  from  this  unlooked  for  providence, 
the  precarious  tenure  by  which  we  hold  our  choicest 
blessings.  We  fancied  that  in  our  late  Chief  Ma- 
gistrate we  had  much  good  treasured  up  for  many 
years.  Not  a  few  of  those  whose  minds  are  occu- 
pied in  public  affairs,  were  hoping  to  see  his  sphere 


24 

of  usefulness  yet  more  enlarged  ;  and  his  vigorous 
and  comprehensive  intellect  employed,  not  for  the 
State  merely,  but  the  Nation.  In  a  moment  the 
least  expected  we  have  had  a  solemn  demonstration 
of  the  uncertainty  of  all  earthly  good.  We  have 
been  painfully  taught  how  easily  divine  Omnipo- 
tence can  frustrate  human  expectation  ;  that  man  may 
see  "  vanity"  inscribed  on  his  richest  treasures,  and 
possessions ;  and  learn,  that  there  is  no  dependence 
for  indestructible  happiness  but  in  the  favour  of  God, 
and  the  hopes  inspired  by  true  religion.  '•  As  for  man, 
his  days  are  as  grass  ;  as  a  flower  of  the  field,  so  he 
flourisheth  ;  for  the  wind  passeth  over  it,  and  it  is 
gone,  and  the  place  thereof  shall  know  it  no  more." 
3.  Let  us,  under  this,  and  every  affliction,  learn 
quiet  and  unmurmuring  submission  to  the  will  of 
God.  "  He  worketh  all  things  after  the  counsel  of 
his  own  will,  and  giveth  not  account  of  any  of  his 
matters."  "  His  ways  are  not  our  ways,  nor  his 
thoughts  our  thoughts."  Yet,  when  the  mysteries 
of  his  Providence  shall  be  unravelled,  as  they  will 
be  in  the  great  day,  which  is  to  determine  the  final 
destiny  of  all  men,  it  will  infallibly  uppear,  that  "  the 
Judge  of  all  the  earth  hath  done  right."  Let  no 
present  obscurity  lead  us  to  doubt,  either  the  wis- 
dom, or  the  goodness,  of  his  providential  dispensa- 
tions. What  we  "  know  not  now,  we  shall  know 
hereafter."  One  thought  however  merits  our  atten- 
tion. Nations  and  States,  as  well  as  individuals  are 
sometimes  subjected  to  the  chastening  rod  of  the 


♦ 
25 

Almighty  for  their  sins.  While  we  of  this  commu- 
nity bow  submissively  under  this  most  afflictive 
stroke,  it  becomes  us  all,  and  more  especially 
our  rulers,  to  consider,  whether  it  be  not  wise  to 
avert  further  judgments  by  erecting  new  bulwarks 
against  the  inroads  of  licentiousness,  and  the  deso- 
lating progress  of  vice  and  immorality :  For,  surely, 
there  can  be  no  promise  of  permanent  security  and 
happiness  to  any  people,  who  allow,  where  it  is  in 
their  power  to  prevent,  the  violation  of  God's  laws. 
Lastly  ;  let  this  disastrous  instance  of  the  uncer- 
tainty of  life  teach  us  all,  "  so  to  number  oar  days 
as  to  apply  our  hearts  unto  wisdom."  Death  spares 
neither  rank,  nor  age.  The  efforts  of  this  whole 
community,  had  it  been  possible,  would  have  been 
put  in  requisition,  to  preserve  the  existence  of  him 
whose  loss  we  lament.  But  "  there  is  no  discharge 
in  this  war,"  "  The  days  of  man  are  determined. 
The  number  of  his  monlhs  are  with  the  Lord.  He 
hath  appointed  his  bounds  that  he  cannot  pass." 
"  The  dust  shall  return  to  the  earth  as  it  was,  and 
the  spirit  unto  God  who  gave  it."  In  the  awful 
suddenness  of  this  event,  let  us  see  the  urgent  ne- 
cessity of  habitual  preparation  for  death.  Time 
and  opportunity  for  that  special  preparation,  on 
which  so  many  vainly  calculate,  it  may  be  the  plea- 
sure of  God,  as  the  punishment  of  procrastination, 
to  deny  us.  Let  us,  then,  disarm  death  of  his  ter- 
rors, by  at  once  turning  to  God  witli  full  purpose  of 


26 

heart.  Repentance  for  sin,  and  faith  in  the  sacrifice 
of  Christ,  attested  by  undissembled  holiness  of  life, 
will  not  fail  to  draw  down  the  pardoning  mercy  of 
God,  invest  us  with  the  sweet  enjoyment  of  inward 
peace,  and  prepare  us  for  a  blissful  eternity. 


t 


